On November first, Xbox Live will get more expensive than it's ever been.
Since launching in 2002, Microsoft's Xbox Live subscription gaming service has retained the same price in the U.S.: $7.99 per month, $19.99 per 3 months, and $49.99 per year. Monday, Director of Programming for Xbox Live Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb announced a price increase coming to the service on November 1, 2010 which will raise it to $9.99 per month, $24.99 per 3 months, and $59.99 per year
Price change for Xbox LIVE Gold subscription
I wanted to let you know that as of November 1, 2010 we are increasing the price of an Xbox LIVE for some members. This price increase only affects Xbox LIVE Members in Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom or the United States.
Note: Unless listed above, there is no change in any other subscription packages.
Naturally,
Hryb's announcement has been met with derision from many Xbox Live Gamers. Sony's PlayStation Network, though considered to be a less robust and useful environment for online gaming, has been free since its launch in 2006. In June, Sony introduced a premium tier to the service called PlayStation Plus, which costs $17.99 per 3 months or $49.99 per year.
"So what new features are you giving us to justify the $10 increase?" A user with the Gamertag ShaggyB asked. "Currently we pay $50 for the features we have to date, If you arent adding something totally new then how is this not just an increase to offset costs?"
Hryb did not announce the cause of the price increase, but there are a number of new features expected to come to Xbox Live before next year, including integration with Windows Phone 7, with voice and motion-based controls as the result of Kinect integration.
